West Bank settlement growth looks likely — latimes.com

U.S. officials said privately that they never had expected to win a total settlement freeze and noted that Mitchell had avoided stating this as an objective.

But Obama’s early focus on the issue and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s public opposition to “natural growth” of existing settlements helped Netanyahu and his aides portray the U.S. position as an affront to cramped communities in need of new schools and housing.

“If Obama cannot stop settlement activities, who in the Arab world is going to believe he can reach an agreement on borders, Jerusalem and refugees?” said Palestinian peace negotiator Saeb Erekat. “It’s all about Obama’s credibility.”